The University of Queensland will acknowledge one of the largest groups of anatomy donors ever at a special community event next month.
UQ’s annual Thanksgiving Service on Thursday, May 6 at the UQ Centre, St Lucia at 5.30pm will express appreciation for the generosity of 72 donors who died in 2002.
The University receives approximately 60 donors’ bodies each year from the greater Brisbane area. Some families are into their third generation of donations.
Bequest program manager and Chair of UQ’s Thanksgiving Service Committee Leo Brown said the donations were crucial to the success of educational programs for students.
“These gifts make a significant contribution in allowing students to learn about the complexities and the infinite variability of the human body,” he said.
“This knowledge is essential for health professionals, be they doctors, dentists, therapists, pharmacists or sports trainers.
“Whilst most of the bodies are used for teaching normal anatomy, some bodies are used specifically for medical research. They assist in investigating problems that are still baffling medical science.
“The extraordinary generosity of donors has helped the University to advance scientific knowledge to promote health and alleviate suffering. For example, we recently had a group of surgeons using some of the donor’s bodies learning to use a new spinal surgery technique which will benefit future patients. The use of human bodies for teaching and research is conducted under the authority of the Transplantation and Anatomy Act and in accordance with university ethical standards.
“People often ask if they indicate that they wish to be an organ donor on their drivers’ licences can they still donate their bodies. We suggest to people that it’s best to be in both programs if they want to help others.
“Organ donations tend to be secured as a result of accidental deaths. Donations of bodies tend to come from people who are fortunate to live beyond retirement age.”
Mr Brown said UQ’s School of Biomedical Sciences discussed donations with applicants who were required to complete documentation. After death, an undertaker transported the deceased to the School where an embalming process was carried out to preserve the tissues in a sterile condition and the body was prepared for the teaching program.
The University met the costs of the transfer and cremations of donated bodies. However, if a donor wished to include a bequest in their will to cover these costs or towards supporting research programs, the School was grateful for such additional generosity.
Mr Brown said the inaugural University of Queensland Thanksgiving Service in 1992, which recognized all donations to the University since 1927, was the first of its kind in Australia and one of the first in the world. It had been so warmly received that it was now widely adopted as a model by other organizations and universities.
“Friends and relatives of donors frequently say the early removal of their loved one`s body into the University`s care and the absence of a funeral service soon after death create the feeling that they`ve not said their last farewells,” he said.
“Often, there can be a two-year wait between the time of death of the donor and the return of ashes to friends or family: during this period, people can feel that their grieving process is incomplete.
“We felt that the service might help bridge this gap and judging by the many grateful letters received since the initiation of the service, this objective is being achieved.
“The service is well supported by students, staff, donors’ families and friends and members of the community. The students look forward to the event as it gives them the opportunity to meet families and express their gratitude. The students distribute donated floral tributes to family members.”
A key symbol of the service is the Book of Remembrance, which records the names of all donors since 1990. Recent science graduate Dr Rebecca Campbell, who completed a PhD in anatomical sciences at UQ in 2003 and is a lecturer at the University of the Sunshine Coast, will carry the Book in formal procession at the Service.
The Alumni Association has donated more than $3000 to purchase a second Book of Remembrance in which the names of more than 2000 deceased donors from 1927 to 1989 are being inscribed by Honorary Associate Professor Lesley Williams AM.
It has been a Herculean task for Mr Brown and Dr Williams, who have spent many hours tracking down records and translating handwritten signatures so that the book will be ready in time for the service.
This year’s multifaith service will be led for the first time by a woman chaplain, Ms Theresa Stolz of the Lutheran Church. Other highlights include the ceremonial lighting of candles and a moving and dignified reading of the donors’ names followed by a minute of silence in remembrance of the donors. The choral support for this year’s Thanksgiving Service will be provided by the Queensland University Musical Society choir.
The University is extremely grateful for the financial support given by various professional and industry groups including the Australian Medical Association, Australian Dental Association, Australian Physiotherapy Association, and the Chiropractors Assocation of Queensland, Albany Creek Memorial Gardens and Newhaven Funerals.
For further information, visit the Thanksgiving Service web site: https://www.uq.edu.au/news/events/thanksgiving.html
People wishing to donate their bodies to the University can contact Mr Leo Brown, telephone 07 3365 2515. The Queensland Organ donation program which is based at Princess Alexandra Hospital can be contacted at (07) 3240 2350.
Bequests and endowments to The University of Queensland can be made by contacting the UQ Development Office telephone (07) 3346 3900,
email developmentoffice@mailbox.uq.edu.au.
Media: Further information, Leo Brown telephone 07 3365 2515.
